Chandler Smith is primed to make a strong statement at the Daytona International Speedway as the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series begins with the season-opening Fresh From Florida 250 on February 13, 2026. With his return to Front Row Motorsports and the debut of a new team partnership, the Chandler Smith Daytona NASCAR advance brings excitement and high expectations for both Smith and fellow contender Layne Riggs.
Anticipation Builds for the Fresh From Florida 250 in Daytona
The 2026 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series commences at Daytona International Speedway, a 2.5-mile superspeedway famous for close racing and intense finishes. The Fresh From Florida 250 serves as the first race of 25 in the season. Live coverage is set to begin at 7:30 PM ET on FS1, as well as MRN and SiriusXM channel 90, promising fans broad access to the evening showdown.
Chandler Smith faces formidable competition, including Layne Riggs, who finished fifth in the 2025 Driver Championship and racked up an impressive record with three wins, 13 top-five finishes, and 16 top-10 results last season. Riggs returns with the No. 34 truck, supported by the continued partnership with Love’s Travel Stops—fans of the team are encouraged to use the Love’s Connect App for discounts and special deals at the pumps as the excitement for the new season grows.
Layne Riggs Seeks Continued Success with No. 34 Team
Layne Riggs enters the 2026 season in peak form, aiming to build on his notable performance from last year. Maintaining stability in his team’s composition—both on the road and in the pits—Riggs is confident heading into Daytona. His familiarity with his crew chief Dylan Cappello, truck chief Brandon Selph, and the rest of his team is seen as a key strength in the unpredictable environment of superspeedway racing.
“We’re all itching to get back to the track,”
said Riggs.
“We didn’t make a lot of changes to the road or pit crew this off-season, so there’s a lot of comfort heading into Daytona knowing you have a reliable and proven team. These superspeedway races are always a gamble, and it’s more about surviving to the end in a good enough position to win. Chander (Smith) and I work well together as teammates, so I know we’ll be able to get to the front, it will just come down to avoiding the chaos.”
— Layne Riggs, Driver
The support staff for Riggs is comprised of skilled professionals such as engineer Jonathan Coates, mechanics Clark Houston and Robert Benzenhafer, interior specialist Brian Sliney, and spotter Josh Williams. The pit crew features Blake Hickman (front tire changer), Steven Chereek (rear tire changer), Alvin Wilson (tire carrier), Kendall Futrell (jackman), and Patrick Gaddy (fueler), all working in unison to ensure smooth pit stops and race strategy execution.
Chandler Smith and Go Outdoors Florida Partnership Debut
Chandler Smith returns to the No. 38 Ford F-150 for Front Row Motorsports, ready to tackle Daytona with a fresh look and a new title partner. For the season opener, Smith’s truck will showcase Go Outdoors Florida, a program from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The sponsorship brings additional focus to the FWC’s TrophyCatch program, a citizen-science initiative that rewards anglers for documenting notable largemouth bass in Florida.
The Truck No. 38 will carry messages encouraging fishing enthusiasts to participate in TrophyCatch, which awards prizes ranging from high-end fishing gear to a Phoenix Bass Boat. As an avid fisherman himself, Smith’s personal passion aligns with this campaign, which also aids scientists in monitoring the state’s bass populations. Anglers can join for free at TrophyCatch.com by submitting photographic or video evidence of their catches.
“We’re proud to partner with NASCAR and bring Florida’s conservation story to one of the largest audiences in American sports,”
said Roger Young, Executive Director, FWC.
“This collaboration is an exciting opportunity to connect with outdoor enthusiasts and highlight the importance of protecting our state’s world-class fisheries and wildlife.”
— Roger Young, Executive Director, FWC
Smith’s statistical record at Daytona is solid, with a 10.3 average finishing position in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. His first season with the No. 38 truck produced two wins, five top-five, and 16 top-10 finishes—an encouraging foundation as he pursues a championship run with a now fully integrated team.
“We definitely went through some growing pains as a team last season, being a new group put together on short notice, but we still achieved a lot,”
said Smith.
“Now heading into the new season, I think we’re in a much stronger position. It was my first season with the team, and I was still learning how everything worked and building chemistry with the crew. With a full year together now, I really believe we can make a serious run at the championship.”
— Chandler Smith, Driver
Key personnel for Smith’s team include crew chief Jon Leonard, truck chief Ron Schutte, engineer Roland Kummel, mechanics Rowan Mason and Mahlon Borkholder, and tire/interior specialist Kyle Clark. Ryan Blanchard serves as Smith’s spotter, with Mark Hadley as the transport driver. The pit crew consists of front tire changer Josh Francos, rear tire changer Curtis Thompson, tire carrier Drew Baum, jackman Shane Perry, and fueler Anthony Bryarly.
About the Major Organizations and Venue
Love’s Travel Stops, backers of Riggs and the No. 34 team, is a family-owned business serving motorists with travel stops and convenience stores across 42 states. Their longstanding relationship with NASCAR teams highlights their dedication to supporting professional and amateur drivers alike.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s mission is to protect and manage the state’s fish and wildlife for long-term sustainability and public benefit. The organization is central to environmental stewardship in Florida, managing hundreds of species and supporting citizen engagement such as the TrophyCatch initiative.
Front Row Motorsports, the team fielding entries for both Riggs and Smith, was founded in 2004 by Bob Jenkins in Mooresville, N.C. The organization has notched notable victories, including the 2021 Daytona 500 and the 2022 Truck Series championship, fielding competitive entries that routinely contend for top honors.
Season Outlook and What’s at Stake
The Daytona opener sets the stage for what promises to be an electrifying NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season. Both Chandler Smith and Layne Riggs come equipped with stable teams, passionate partners, and renewed motivation. The mix of returning talent, new partnerships, and the unpredictability inherent in superspeedway racing means fans can expect thrilling moments and fierce battles from the drop of the green flag.
The performances at Daytona not only determine early momentum for the championship campaign, but also showcase the community-driven partnerships and conservation initiatives that are increasingly becoming part of the NASCAR story. This unique combination of high-speed action and meaningful collaboration between racing, business, and the outdoors community underscores the evolving significance of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series for fans, drivers, and partners alike.
